CANDON, Ilocos Sur — Alyssa Valdez understands just how valuable opportunities like the Volleyball All-Star Showcase are at this stage of her career, which is why she is choosing to savor every moment of the rare chance to compete and simply enjoy the game.
“Exactly one of the reasons why I think I just want to enjoy this is because I’m not sure if, ‘di ba, first and last natin ‘to,” said Valdez after taking part in a tree-planting activity at the Candon Ecopark here on Thursday, a day before the Volleyball All-Star Showcase.
Now 32 years old and a three-time league MVP, Valdez acknowledges the reality that an athlete’s career is not forever. With that in mind, she continues to embrace each opportunity that comes her way while making the most of her remaining years on the court.
In recent seasons, her playing time with Creamline has also become more limited as the team continues to build around a younger core and adjust its rotation. Still, Valdez has remained a steady presence, delivering key contributions whenever called upon and showing flashes of the form that once defined her prime.
That reliability was on display during the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, where she played an important role in the Cool Smashers’ championship run. Stepping up in crucial stretches amid injuries to Bernadeth Pons and Jema Galanza, Valdez helped stabilize the squad en route to the title.
Turning her focus to the All-Star Game, Valdez — who was selected as a reserve for Team Heart — is looking forward to sharing the court with some of the league’s brightest stars, including newly-crowned MVP Vanie Gandler of Cignal and Rookie of the Conference Bella Belen of Capital1.
Beyond competing, she also expressed excitement about learning from them, from their preparation to their mindset and energy on the court, viewing the exhibition as a chance for mutual growth and inspiration within the volleyball community.
“It’s my first time to play, I think with Bella and Vanie, if I’m not mistaken, so it’s just so nice na maka-teammate din syempre ‘yung mga ina-idolize ng mga kabataan ngayon. And I just really wanna see how they actually siguro prepare for a game, ‘yung mga ganun,” said Valdez.
“Siyempre ‘yun ‘yung mga little things na gusto kong makita na feeling ko mai-inspire rin ako na mas maglaro pa and makasama sila,” she went on.
“So ayun, siguro it’s just so nice na lahat naman in the community are friends, so nakakatuwa lang din at meron tayong chance… After that intense Finals or intense conference, na meron tayo ngayong chance magsama sama at mag-enjoy para sa ating volleyball community.”
